Community News – May, 2012

Page 1

May 6 – The Rev. Dr. Donald Musser will come to us from Stetson

University to stimulate our thinking on “Worship on Trial: Of

What Value Are Rites & Rituals?” Following worship Dr. Musser

will lead a study on this topic during refreshment time. Concluding

the morning will be Lunch Bunch at MOM’s Restaurant. Lloyd

Dunham will be service leader.

May 13 - Mother’s Day – In honor of mothers each woman

present will receive a flower and the Rev. Mark Spivey will bring

a message titled “MOM – Things My Mother Taught Me About

Life.” Service leader will be Dru Synal.

May 20 – We will welcome a newcomer to our pulpit. The Rev.

Johanna Lee hails from Seoul, South Korea. She is a chaplain

at Hospice of Volusia Flagler. She plans to talk on the theme

“We Are Connected!” She comes to us on the recommendation

of our friend the Rev. Beverly Richardson. Hospice chaplains

bring special skills to their work in order to serve a very diverse

group of people without passing judgment or imposing their

personal belief system. Laurie Dunham will lead worship.

May 27– Memorial Day Weekend – Returning to us will be the

Rev. Richard “Bud” Murphy of the Ormond Unitarian

Universalist congregation. The title of his sermon is “Organized

Religion, Unitarian Universalism and Planet Earth.” Pastor

Bud will help us look at the future of organized religious groups

while more specifically considering the future of Unitarian

Universalism. How will our expectations about the future of

religion bring consequences for Planet Earth? Worship will be led by Lloyd Dunham.

The month ahead – will bring to our pulpit the Rev. Dr. Donald Musser, Martha

Swanson and Mistletoe CUUPs, the Rev. Lloyd Dunham and Dr. Evan Rivers (of

DSC)

COMMUNITY NEWS

COMMUNITY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH VOL. XII ISSUE V

A MONTH OF SUNDAYS

May 2012

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

MAY

CALENDAR 2

CONGREGATINAL

MEETING AGENDA 3

PRESIDENT’S

COLUMN 4

CARING & SHARING 4

CONCERT FLYER 6

MINUTES BOARD OF

DIRECTORS’

MEETING 7

TREASURER’S

REPORT 8

GIVING 9

UUCF 9

Services Sundays @ 10:30 Dudley Memorial Chapel 1108 North Dixie Highway (US Rt. 1) New Smyrna Beach

Community News – May, 2012

Page 2

MAY 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3

4 Pot Luck with a Purpose 7pm @ Fregin’s home Mexican theme food– discussion Our Immigrant Heritage

5

Art of the

Automobile

Beach St. Daytona

8am-8pm

6

Service 10:30 a.m. Speaker - Rev. Dr. Donald Musser

“Worship on Trial: Of What Value Are Rites & Rituals?”

LUNCH BUNCH

Buddhist Group 6:30 p.m. @ Suzanne Ronneau’s home Port Orange

7

8

Board of

Trustees

6:30 @

Dru Synal’s

9 10 11

12

Feed the Homeless

Bridge of Hope/Star

Center 9:45 am

MCUUPS Drum

Circle -Sapphire Bch

@ 6p.m. - dusk

Peter Mayer Concert

7p.m. , Palatka

13 Service

10:30 a.m.

Speaker – The Rev. Mark Spivey

“MOM – Things My Mother Taught

Me About Life”

14

15

16 17

18

19 UUCF Meeting @ the Dunham’s home in P.O. 4:00 p.m. enjoy pool 5:00 p.m. cookout

20 Service 10:30 a.m. Speaker – The Rev. Johanna Lee “We Are Connected”

HUM/HAC Donations

Annual Meeting 11:45 a.m.

21

22

23

24 25 Drum Circle MCUUPs 6-10 p.m. Big Planet Pizza, Edgewater

26

27 Religious Education 9:30

Service 10:30 a.m. Speaker - Rev. Richard “Bud” Murphy “Organized Religion, Unitarian Universalism and Planet Earth”

28

Memorial Day

29 Worship Committee @ 7 p.m. Dunham’s

30 31

Community News – May, 2012

Page 3

CALL TO ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

AGENDA

Sunday, May 20, 2012

11:45 a.m. at Dudley Memorial Chapel

I. Minutes of Congregational Meeting held January 29, 2012

II. Report of the Treasurer

III. Adoption of Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013

IV. Selection of Delegates to UUA General Assembly, June 20-24, Phoenix, AZ

V. Election of Officers and Trustees

VI. Presentation of Annual Reports by Officers, Trustees, Committee Chairs

Community News – May, 2012

Page 4

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

Ah, the Merry Month of May! One of my favorite songs is the one about someone “rambling all this

night and sometime of this day, and now returning back again I’ve brought you a branch of May. ‘Tis

but a sprout, but well budded out, by the work of our Lord’s hand . . . .” Loreena McKinnitt brought

the song into the popular ken a few years back, but our girl’s chorus in high school [long, long ago]

sang a version of it that I always loved. The singer asks for a “bowl of your sweet cream” in

exchange for the spring buds, and somehow I always envisioned the singer being a cat. I imagined a lovely milk maid

accepting the budding sprig, and putting down a bowl of cream for that rambling’ cat.

Well, anyway May does seem to cause many of us to get a touch of wanderlust. Several of our church members are on

the move, Norik to a new home in Gainesville, Laura to a new home in Rhode Island. Shirley is off to hike the canyons

of New Mexico. I’m sure many others are planning and packing for travels away from here.

I’m off to Santa Fe this week in connection with (hopefully) purchasing a “summer home” that I think may eventually

become my main home. My daughter and only grandchild live there, and also I love the place. My family is dispersed

from California to Ireland, and Santa Fe has the look of a good centering place for our family. The place I’m hoping to

buy has lilacs in bloom. Branches of May.

Later in May I plan to travel to Ireland, then the Greek Isles, and London. I’m lucky to be meeting family in Ireland (son

& daughter- in- law live there); in Greece (my cousin’s wife and some of her family are vacationing there); and in

London I’ll meet up with son & daughter -in- law again, finally see the rebuilt Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and hope to

visit with Ken’s lovely sister.

I hope you also are looking forward to good adventures in May – maybe in your backyard or at our local beaches or

parks, or maybe far, far away. May all of our travelers (and movers), and those staying home, be safe, serene, and

happy, and may we all continue to be the very best kind of friends. We’ll bring you a branch of May; give us a bowl of

your sweet cream.

Suzanne Ronneau, President

CARING AND SHARING

I have become the CUUC Correspondent for the Northeast Breeze Newsletter, which links all the UU Congregations in our Northeast Cluster (this corner of Florida, in other words)... our various churches and fellowships thus have access to a shared journal of experience and hope; we can learn from one another and see what methods other congregations are using to keep their missions alive and make valuable contributions and connections in their home communities... Writing about CUUC for the Northeast Breeze has made me SO PROUD of our little church - of how we've survived "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" and have attracted SO MANY AMAZING, Committed and Passionate Individuals who fill our gatherings with so much inspiration and joy, year after year... We really ARE "Bigger than the Sum of Our Parts..." Hurray for CUUC!!! How exciting it has been to see our church mentioned in the Breeze! And Pictures! - I've sent photos of some CUUC members and friends - and seeing your smiling faces in the Breeze thrilled me! When I think

Community News – May, 2012

Page 5

about our CUUC mission statement, I feel we're realizing it as we provide so many members with the "spiritual home" each has sought! None of the work our church does would be possible without the loving contributions of so many dedicated volunteers! Thank you to everyone who has "kept the home fires burning..." and a special note of thanks to Rev. BJ and Terry Bishop - some of our newest members - who have already shared so much! April's Mistletoe CUUPs Bonfire/Drum Circle was an event to be remembered the sunset was Gorgeous! It was the last of the season - we'll still be meeting near Sapphire Beach Approach in New Smyrna each month to drum until sundown, but WITHOUT FIRE - Turtle Season is upon us, and NSB Parks and Rec. Dept. takes away all the fire pits (the turtles MUST NOT BE DISTURBED!)... Many thanks to Mr. Bill, who has made countless trips to the Parks and Rec. Office to request reservations! With warmer weather occurring, Mistletoe's Drum Circles, both at the beach and at the Big Planet Pizza restaurant in Edgewater, have been attracting larger groups; hopefully more folks will discover both Mistletoe CUUPs and the CUUC through this channel! As our intention is to raise energy and create healing through our drums, the growth of our gatherings is something we are quite proud of! I am so proud also of our Board of Trustees for voting "Yes!" to awarding a $500 scholarship to one of the participants in the 'Cudas Unhooked Program (for high-risk students) at New Smyrna Beach High School; the recipient intends to attend Daytona State College's Culinary Program, specializing in baking/Pastry Chef training - we're excited to be helping her realize her dream. Many thanks to Dru Synal for being our liason to NSB High! Several members of CUUC have celebrated the recent addition of new babies into their families - founding members (UCC Rev. - retired) Lloyd Dunham and wife Laurie have just become great-grandparents for the very first time, Nancy McCormick (who's been having a ball behind the scenes at New Smyrna Beach's all-volunteer Little Theatre creating "On Golden Pond" for the stage) just became a great-grandmother of seven... Nancy says her inspiration is longtime Little Theatre member Este Keyes (now in Hospice care) whose simple motto is: "Love People!" The Barcelos celebrate their large and culturally diverse family, of which they're very proud! We're all looking forward to Charley coming home after his recent stroke... the spirit is willing, Charley says! We love you, Charley! Carmen Rivera and Fernando celebrated many family birthdays in April; isn't a loving family a blessing? Dana celebrates her lovely daughter's 18th Birthday! Loretta celebrates her son's safe and happy relocation to his new life in Singapore! In these complicated times, we pray for people suffering afflictions that affect their mental health (temporarily or permanently) and give thanks for all the things that keep us healthy, focused, and sane! Namaste!

- Joe Wolfarth, Trustee

One of the Highlights of the 2010 General Assembly in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for me was seeing singer/songwriter Peter Mayer in concert. Mayer, a Minnesota native, thrilled those present in a special concert after inspiring thousands gathered at the GA Opening Ceremonies to sing along with him to his own deeply spiritual music. When I learned at a Northeast Cluster Gathering that the UU church in Palatka was bringing Peter Mayer here for a special concert in May (to benefit the Putnam County School District) I was thrilled beyond measure. I am planning to bring two of my dearest friends along as my guests. I am sharing this with all of you in the hope that I can inspire you to make the journey as

well! ~ Joe

Community News – May, 2012

Page 6

Community News – May, 2012

Page 7

MINUTES

CUUC Board of Trustees Meeting Tuesday April 10, 2012

Home of Dru Synal

Present: Dru Synal, Martha Swanson, Lloyd Dunham, Suzanne Ronneau, Dana Jacobsen, Ginny Fregin, Excused: Joe Wolfarth, Shirley Beleff, Laura Chilkott Dana Jacobsen recording. Meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m. The minutes from the March 13th Board of Trustees meeting were read. Motion to accept the minutes. Motion passed. Lloyd provided us with a Treasurer's Report. He transferred $1000 to the checking account to avoid fees. News-Journal has been in touch and has offered a reduced rate for a smaller ad. Motion to proceed with the proposed advertising contract with the News-Journal. Motion passed. Motion to accept the Treasurer's Report. Motion passed. Yard Sale proceeds were $391 and designated for the Building Fund. Motion that we matched the $391 for the Building Fund. Motion passed. Lloyd presented the trustees with a proposed budget. We cannot anticipate the amount of pledges but he is hoping for an increase. The proposed budget is a framework for our Annual meeting. Ginny asked a question in regards to dual members. How do we count members of two UU churches? They count as a member of our church for purposes of voting in the Annual meeting. They cannot vote on National issues. In our bylaws, we refer to people who are part time members as Associate members. (Dana's note that our bylaws read: "Associate members may vote, provided they have complied with paragraph 1 of this section 3.1 and Section 3.2. An Associate member may not vote on General Assembly resolutions or serve as a delegate to General Assembly, and will not be reported as a member to UUA.") We will have some members who will be moving. They can become Associate Members. Dru reported on the Scholarship award. She will present to the school office this week. Lloyd needs the recipient's name and school that she will be attending. Dru will do a presentation May 31st. We received an additional $20 donation for the scholarship so Lloyd will include that in the award. Our Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 20th. Each committee head should write a small report for the meeting. Get reports in by May 8th. We will need to appoint delegates to National Assembly, approve a budget and elect board. Potluck with a Purpose is scheduled for Friday May 4th. Since it is so close to Cinco de Mayo, we thought we'd have a Mexican themed pot luck and talk about our respective heritages. It will be at the Fregins' home @ 7p.m.

Community News – May, 2012

Page 8

Pledge Drive: Final preparations were discussed for Sunday's pledge event. New Business: Suzanne shared Focus Group symbols that can be used in the newsletter and website. Buddhist group would have a lotus with a chalice around it. The UUCF would have a cross with a chalice around it. Mistletoe CUUPs a branch of mistletoe that they use. Dana went over the dates she has for the May calendar. May 8th is our next board meeting, which will be held at Dru's home @ 6:30 pm. Motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. Meeting ended at 8:23 p.m.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The best news is the Building Fund, thanks especially to those who in anyway

helped with the Yard Sale which netted $391. Individual gifts and our

matching program have brought the present total to $41,250.69. You can help

grow this fund by using the special envelopes on the first Sunday of the month

(or any other time). Growth in our Building Fund will enable us to shape our

dream of a home for our church into reality.

One deserving student at New Smyrna Beach High School will soon receive a scholarship of

$520, a result of specified giving by our community during the past two years. The

scholarship, carrying the name of our church, will assist the selected student with college

expenses.

Our mid-April numbers are:

Scholarship Fund $520.00

Savings Account (Operating Reserves) 6825.11

Payable to IRS 159.68

Total in Savings $7504.79

Checking Account $1247.97

Lloyd H. Dunham, Treasurer

Community News – May, 2012

Page 9

WHY DO WE GIVE TO THIS CHURCH?

We have spent our career in the church, not always comfortable, but we felt we were making a

positive difference in the lives of people in the churches we served. For twenty-five years our

primary work was with youth and children. Our years in college and my years in seminary raised

many questions. Long ago we were “looking over the fence” at Unitarians. Then came

retirement in 1996 and our move to Florida. We anticipated a new spiritual and theological

freedom as retirees in our own denomination (the one that pays my pension)! But we found

ourselves less at home here than in New England.

Then we decided to try Unitarian Universalism. Very quickly we were “hooked”! We were

invited to be in on the “ground floor” in starting Community UU. Ever since then we have been

deeply involved both in participation and financially. There have been times when we didn’t

know if CUUC could survive – especially when our rent doubled. All of us dug deep to keep this

church alive. Why? Because it is unlike any church we have ever known. In these most recent

years our church has turned a corner. Now the struggle isn’t for survival, it’s for growth.

Since our pension has not increased while food and gas prices have gone steadily up, we’ve

wondered where we could cut to make ends meet. Each year at pledge time the question is

there again – not just for us but others among us. We are encouraged by others in our church

who are determined that this Unitarian Universalist presence is vital to this community both

near and far. No other religious congregation encourages the free search for truth and

meaning as does this. So we are glad to join with others to help our church grow. Pulling

together we can make the difference!

Lloyd & Laurie Dunham

MAY 19 GET TOGETHER – UUCF & WORSHIP COMMITTEE

On the third Saturday in May members of UUCF, Worship Committee members

and all Greeters/Hospitality helpers are invited to gather for a cookout and pre-summer

party at the Dunhams’ home in Port Orange. No program is planned beyond being together and

enjoying each other’s company. Come an hour early if you like to swim. Contributions to the buffet

would be appreciated. Contact Laurie at 761-6509 or email dunham@cfl.rr.com

Community News – May, 2012

Page 10

COMMUNITY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH

P.O. Box 238389 Port Orange, FL 32123 Phone: 386-846-3584

http://www.dbcuuc.org

Visit us on Facebook too!

CUUC is a Welcoming Congregation

June Newsletter Deadline

May 20, 2012

Please submit items by e-mail to

info@dbcuuc.org